It has been two years since Ricky Lee was awarded as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, but to this day, he still feels that he has not gotten used to it.

"Hindi pa rin ako sanay na sa akin nakafocus yung attention, that's why naging writer ako, maski director ayaw ko kasi yung director napapasin. Sanay na ako bilang scriptwriter na meron akong 20 percent na attention, pero ngayong National Artists na ako siguro naging 60 percent to 70 percent na," Ricky said during the sideline interviews at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Cine Icons at the University of Sta. Tomas in Manila recently.

(I'm still not used to the attention being focused on me. That's why I became a writer, even as a director. I don't want it because they all gained attention. I'm used to being a scriptwriter because I only have 20 percent attention, but now that I'm National Artists, the attention is probably 60 percent to 70 percent already) 

Ricky also mentioned that during his recent appearances at CCP events, he still has a hard time greeting everyone in the audience, when the host acknowledges his presence. 

"Tuwing tinatawag ako sa isang event sa CCP, nahihirapan pa rin ako tumayo at lumingon. Naiingit ako kasi sina Alice Reyes (National Artist for Dance) kasi siya tumatayo at kumakaway siya sa likod, tapos ako hindi ko alam kung lilingon ba ako," He said. 

(Whenever I got acknowledged at a CCP event, it was still a struggle for me to get up and greet everyone. I envy Alice Reyes because she stands up and waves at everyone at the back. As for me, I'm still not sure if I should look back and do the same.) 

Ricky admitted that he is making a conscious effort to remind himself that he needs to get used to it. 

"Lagi ko na sinasabi sa sarili ko na kailangan ko na masanay kasi kailangan ng atensyon ng writer. Hindi lang ako, kundi yung mga writers in general, then maybe makakatulong ako na mabigyang pansin sila, at maisip nila na may writer na nageexist at nagsusulat ng pelikula," he addded. 

(I always tell myself that I need to get used to it because a writer needs attention. Not only me but the writers in general, in this way I can help them. And make people think that there is a writer who exists and writes a movie) 

A new generation of writers 

With his prominent works as a screenwriter in the Film and TV Industry, Ricky also shared some of his thoughts on how the new generation of screenwriters work in this day and age. 

"Ang masasabi ko lang is very daring sila in a way na kayang-kaya nila gumawa ng storya na non-linear, like atras abante na panahon. Kumbaga kaya nilang palipat-lipat yung mga characters kasi ganun yung generation ngayon," Ricky said. 

(All I can say is that they are very daring in a way that they can create a non-linear story, like going back in time. It seems that they can move the characters around because that's the generation today) 

Despite the changes on how writers create their stories, Ricky mentioned that it is still a must that writers should know how to create an original story. 

"I think mahalaga sa pagawa ng pelikula, ay yung pagkapilipino, kasi bago tayo magclicks abroad, kailangan makita nila na pinoy na pinoy yung gawa natin. Hindi yung gawa na kinopya lang," He added. 

(I think one of the important things about making a film is that it has to be Pinoy-made because before we click abroad, they need to see that our work is original and pure Filipino. Not the work that was just copied)